On 5 th December 2025, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht,
Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and
Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, launched the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026.
The LEP in Louth will be administered by Louth County Council’s Local Community
Development Committee (LCDC).
Under the LEP 2026 there will be capital funding available to support community and
voluntary groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with minor capital works and
improvements to their facilities, and the purchase of equipment for community use.
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht has allocated
€239,207.33 capital funding to Louth LCDC. The maximum application amount is €5,000
and all works undertaken and/or purchases made must be completed and paid for by 28th
August 2026.
Louth County Council want to encourage new and existing community groups to apply for
Local Enhancement Funding in 2026.
The Council are hosting a number of information sessions across Co. Louth to provide the
public and community groups with information about the Local Enhancement Programme
2026 funding scheme, help with filling in the application form and assistance with uploading
the form onto the Consult Louth portal.
Information Sessions are free and will take place in the following libraries across Co. Louth
in January and February 2026. There will also be two online options.
To book a place at the information session:
Email LEP2026@louthcoco.ie or Telephone 042 939 2929
Dundalk Library Tuesday 27th January 2026 11.00am – 12.30pm
Dunleer Library Thursday 29th January 2026 6.15pm – 7.45pm
Drogheda Library Tuesday 3rd February 2026 6.15pm – 7.45pm
Online Thursday 5th February 2026 7.00pm – 8.30pm
Monday 9th February 2026 7.00pm – 8.30pm
The fund opens on 19 th January 2026.
Closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 27th February 2026.
Louth County Council is now taking applications from Community and Voluntary Groups in
Louth.
Applications can be made online through our online portal at https://consult.louthcoco.ie/en/applications
Further information is available at https://www.louthcoco.ie/en/services/community/funding
Email LEP2026@louthcoco.ie or Telephone 042 939 2929.
